For Immediate Release
Increase in UA System COVID Cases Remains Moderate — University Officials Urge Caution as State and National Numbers Climb
Despite record-setting state and national trends, the University of Alabama System reported moderate changes in new COVID cases on the three campuses this week.
Overall, the number of students in the UA System who tested positive for the virus the week of November 5-12 was up 28, from 131 last week to 159 as reported today. Faculty and staff members at UA, UAB and UAH with positive COVID tests declined significantly from 54 last week to 38 for the current reporting period.
The area of increased cases week-over-week across the UA System is the number of clinical enterprise employees in the UAB Health System who are on the front line of delivering high-quality care for COVID patients. Of more than 17,500 employees in the category, last week 87 UA System health care workers tested positive; this week the number increased to 107.
Occupancy of isolation housing on the campuses remains minimal, with 31 beds of 700+ available occupied. Sentinel testing results Systemwide report less than 1% positive results over the last seven days among students, faculty and staff.
“While we are encouraged that the number of new cases throughout our System remains low, it is critically important that everyone remains diligent with masking, social distancing and symptom tracking,” UA System spokeswoman Kellee Reinhart said today. “We cannot let down our guard as our campuses begin the last two weeks of in-person instruction.
“We are grateful for the countless sacrifices our students, faculty and staff are making during this historic pandemic and for the front-line work of health care providers in our System hospitals and clinics,” Reinhart added.
The state of Alabama reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases this week as national statistics continue to trend upward. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has extended the state’s mask ordinance through December 11.
